A wide range of visitors have travelled to Japan from afar, and in 2024 the country broke tourism records.
Between January 1 and November 30, the country’s government website predicted that around 33.4 million tourists visited Japan. In 2024, about 3 million Americans visited the country.
Asano Kitabu, the first secretary of the Japanese Embassy, ​​told Fox News Digital that the number of visitors last year reached 36 million.
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Embassy counselor, Toko Yuko, said 2024 was declared “the year of tourism in the United States” by both governments.
Japanese officials hope to double their recent visitor record by reaching Fox News Digital by 2030 to reach 60 million tourists. (istock)
“So, last year, in 2024, we welcomed around 3 million Americans in Japan.
Asano shared that Japan has plans for nearly twice as many visitors over the next five years.
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“We have set a target for 60 million people in 2030. …We will (and) strive to increase (and) more tourists from international countries. That’s why we have decided to invest in our local area. We want to encourage tourists to visit these residences, with the exception of Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima and Osaka.
According to a report by the Japan Tourism Bureau Foundation and the Japan Development Bank, 30% of visitors said they had experienced overcrowding in popular places.
Japan is known for its hot springs and bathing facilities surrounded by inns, attracting tourists from all over the world.
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“We hope to achieve our target for 60 million people by 2030. …We will strive to increase (and welcome) more tourists from international countries,” Asano said. (Fox News Digital)
According to Fox News Digital, many hot spring towns in Japan impose so-called bathing tax.
“Many local governments in Japan are thinking of introducing tourism taxes because many tourists come there, but there was no public toilets for tourists and enough infrastructure for tourists,” Asano said.
“So they need to invest in infrastructure. So that’s why they’re thinking about increasing these taxes and they think tax revenue will be more comfortable or convenient for tourists. I think this trend will continue,” Asano added.
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“In Japan or in Kyoto in particular, there is a big debate for overtourism. So, taxation could probably be an option () to create an overtourism solution,” Noguchi said.
Japan is known for its hot springs and bathing facilities surrounded by inns, attracting tourists from all over the world. (istock)
Noguchi said Americans would enjoy visiting Japan during the spring.
“I recommend visiting Japan in the spring because there are very beautiful cherry blossoms growing in Japan. There is a cherry blossom flower that was presented to Washington, DC in 1912 by Tokyo.
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Asano said that traditional cultures, including Buddhism and Shinto religions, are attracting many tourists.
Characters like Hello Kitty, popular in modern Japanese culture, are also attracting travelers to the country, Asano added.
